Healey Silverstone found and restored

A 1950 Healey Silverstone which languished in a garage from the early 1980s until two years ago has been fully restored prior to being sold at Silverstone Auctions' upcoming sale, taking place on 27 July at the Northamptonshire circuit.

The £160-180,000 sports car recently underwent a complete nut and bolt restoration by Hennessy Motorsport. A history file bursting with receipts – as well as a photographic record of the refurbishment – will accompany the car at the sale.

Interestingly, the car's history can also be linked to the Healey family, with the second owner, Cecil Winby, being a friend of Donald. The accomplished racing driver owned the Silverstone from 1955-'57.

The car is one of just 105 examples built and came about due to Donald Healey's desire to create a dual-purpose road and race car for less than £1000 in response to the Government increasing taxes on luxury cars costing more than that amount.

The Silverstone became an overnight success, with the combination of light weight and 104bhp 2.5-litre Riley engine allied to a four-speed manual gearbox proving a potent package on the race circuit. Healey had a great deal of success driving the model, winning his class in the 1949 Alpine Rally.

Managing director of the sale house, Nick Whale, said: "This is a very special car that is steeped in history and it's a delight to be offering it for auction at its namesake circuit. Hopefully, we will see it back on a race track soon."